Monday, July 30, 2007

About eight months ago during Thanksgiving week of 2006 one of my best friends had a daughter that was hit and killed by a fire truck. Erika would be seventeen today. I’ve known Erika since she was three or four, and as I worked today I was continually reminded of her smile, her bouncy personality and of countless instances from her childhood.

It’s funny, though. The memories, no matter how fun or cute they are, don’t seem adequate to describe her to you if you didn’t know her. The things she said and did didn't make Erika who she was. She was just Erika. Though I miss things like making her laugh or attempting to instill in her that all boys are predators, it’s not really those types of things that I miss. It’s her that I miss. I just miss her and the essence of Erika and all that made her who she was.

God doesn’t make mistakes no matter what certain people say, and just as wonderfully as He made her, I also have to believe that He somehow wonderfully planned her exit from this earth. I look forward to seeing her someday in that city that He has prepared for us and I’m eagerly awaiting the day when the pain is erased from Erika’s dad and two moms.

If you would type an appropriate verse in the comments bar for Scott, Inez and Bette, I’m sure they would appreciate it.

5 comments:

I have been thinking of Erika a lot lately and remembering her wonderful smile. I know she is in a better place but often wonder how this world could be a better place without her in it. My family has recently gone through a lot of struggles lately and I read a verse that really gave me peace. Its a verse that I have read many times before but God really used it to speak to me not to long ago. I hope it will speak to you as well.

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Our thoughts and prayers continually go out to the Schwager family. We love you guys so much!

It must be devastating for parents to lose a child. How do you cope with it? For believers we have this promise and assurance.

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.1 Thes. 4:13-14 NIV

I get so much comfort in these words of hope. They tell us that we will be reunited again with those we have lost. I can share these comforting words of hope to all of you who are suffering this temporary loss because I have myself received this same comfort.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Cor. 1:3-4

To love someone, not just the things about them, those are good thoughts, Dave. Here is a verse which may not seem right at first, but it gives us a glimpse inside the Apostle Paul's heart for the Corinthian church.

II Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

The Apostle Paul wasn't seeking after things that belonged to the Corinthians, but the Corinthians themselves. He loved them.

Many times we don't learn this lesson until that certain someone is gone.

James 1:3-4, 12 (NLT)For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.